Inkjet Maintenance Liquid Dissolving Solidified Ink Residues
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cleaning liquids for inkjet recording are inefficient in dissolving ink-derived solids that have solidified due to drying, leading to ejection problems such as deviation or non-ejection, especially when the ink contains polymer components.
Innovation Solution
A maintenance liquid comprising a compound with a specific HLB value, a water-soluble organic solvent, a moisturizing agent, and water, which includes a surfactant represented by Formula (I) and a water-soluble organic solvent represented by Formula (II), along with optional additives like a basic compound and antifoaming agent, to enhance solubility and cleaning performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a conventional cleaning liquid including polyoxyalkylene monoalkyl ether is used to wash the flow channel, then pigment dispersibility is maintained, but cleaning performance against ink-derived solids is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the cleaning liquid by introducing a specific compound (Formula I) with a defined molecular structure containing a hydrophobic group and hydrophilic group, and controlling the HLB value within a specific range (8-15). This parameter optimization enables the cleaning liquid to effectively dissolve ink-derived solids while maintaining pigment dispersibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite cleaning liquid system by combining multiple components: the specific compound (Formula I), water-soluble organic solvent (Formula II), moisturizing agent, and water. This composite formulation synergistically achieves both effective cleaning of ink-derived solids and maintenance of pigment dispersibility, overcoming the limitations of single-component conventional cleaners.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the flow channel is washed with cleaning liquid, then ink residue is removed, but ink-derived solids accumulate and block ejection holes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the cleaning liquid's physical and chemical parameters, specifically the HLB value (8-15) and molecular structure of the surfactant compound, to achieve effective dissolution of ink-derived solids. This parameter control prevents solid accumulation in ejection holes while maintaining cleaning effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The specific compound (Formula I) acts as an intermediary substance that facilitates the dissolution of ink-derived solids. Its molecular structure with hydrophobic and hydrophilic groups enables it to interact with both the solid ink residues and the aqueous environment, preventing aggregation and blockage of ejection holes.
3Reliability
If polymer components are added to ink for improvement in rub resistance, then image quality is improved, but solidification and accumulation of ink occurs more easily
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cleaning liquid with specifically controlled parameters (HLB value 8-15, defined molecular structure) that counteracts the solidification effect of polymer components. The cleaning liquid's physical and chemical properties are optimized to dissolve polymer-based ink solids while preserving the beneficial rub resistance properties of the polymer in the formed image.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The maintenance liquid effectively dissolves ink-derived solids, preventing ejection problems and ensuring stable image formation by maintaining the ejection performance of the inkjet recording head.
Implementation Method 1
a compound represented by the following Formula (I) and having an HLB value of from 10.5 to 13.8
Implementation Method 2
the maintenance liquid including: a compound represented by the following Formula (I) and having an HLB value of from 10.5 to 13.8; a water-soluble organic solvent
Implementation Method 3
a water-soluble organic solvent represented by the following Formula (II)
Implementation Method 4
a moisturizing agent
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
A maintenance liquid for inkjet recording, including: a compound represented by the following Formula (I) and having an HLB value of from 10.5 to 13.8, a water-soluble organic solvent represented by the following Formula (II), a moisturizing agent, and water is disclosed. In the formulae, R1 represents a straight chain or branched alkyl group having from 6 to 20 carbon atoms, a straight chain or branched alkenyl group having from 6 to 20 carbon atoms, or an aryl group; m represents an integer from 3 to 14, each of R3 and R5 independently represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, provided that R3 and R5 never represent a hydrogen atom at the same time; R4 represents an ethylene group or a propylene group; and x represents an integer from 1 to 4. Formula (I) R1-O-(CH2CH2O)m-H